[June 05, 2014]SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department
of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first West Nile virus
positive bird and mosquito batch reported in Illinois for 2014.
Henry County Health Department employees collected a positive bird
on May 29, 2014 in Colona and Madison County Health Department
employees collected a positive mosquito batch on May 30, 2014 in
Godfrey.

“West Nile virus activity is largely dependent on the weather.
Despite our cold winter, mosquitoes are becoming active and infected
with West Nile virus as the temperature increase. If we see a hot,
dry summer, we could see a lot of West Nile virus activity,” said
IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “We want to remind people not to
be complacent. Take precautions to protect yourself by wearing
insect repellent and taking other precautions.”

The first West Nile virus positive result in
2013 was a mosquito batch collected on May 21, 2013 in Cook County.
Last year, 76 counties in Illinois reported a West Nile virus
positive mosquito batch, bird and/or human case. For the 2013
season, IDPH reported 117 human cases, including 11 deaths. No
human cases of West Nile virus have been reported so far this year.

Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois
includes laboratory tests on mosquito batches, dead crows, blue
jays, robins and other perching birds, as well as testing sick
horses and humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms. People who
observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird
should contact their local health department, which will determine
if the bird will be picked up for testing.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite
of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected
bird.

Common West Nile virus symptoms include fever,
nausea, headache and muscle aches. Symptoms may last from a few
days to a few weeks. However, four out of five people infected with
West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. In rare cases, severe
illness including meningitis or encephalitis, or even death, can
occur. People older than 50 are at higher risk for severe illness
from West Nile Virus.

As temperatures warm up, remember to take some
simple precautions to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your
home and protect yourself from being bitten. Precautions include
practicing the three “R’s” – reduce, repel and report.

REDUCE
exposure - avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most
active, especially between dusk and dawn. Make sure doors and
windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens
that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows
shut, especially at night. Eliminate all sources of standing
water where mosquitoes can breed, including flowerpots, wading
pools, old tires and any other receptacles. Change water in
birdbaths weekly.

REPEL -
when outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved
shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil
of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions.
Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

REPORT –
report dead birds to your local health department. In communities
where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your
municipal government about areas of stagnant water in roadside
ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce
mosquitoes.